Stringed instrument.



No. 885,269. PATENTED APR. 21, 1908. A. E. MATHEY.

STRINGED INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 27.1907.

may,

Cri-

'strument shown in Fig. l.

ALGIDE E. MATHEY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

Specification of Letters Eetcnt.

Application filed May 2'7, 190?.

. ,L Enteritis-.2

izlerial No. 375,501.

To all whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that I, ALcInn E. MA'IHEY, of Boston, county oi Suffolk, State of Messs-- chusctts, have invented anImprovement in Stringed Instruments, of which the follow ing description, in connection with the accompunying drmvings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to stringed instruments and has for its object to construct en. instrument oi the banjo v'ariet whereby a tone of novel character may lie produced which is soft, full and clear and has great carr' ing power, and which is quite distinct from the ordinary tone of the banjo or mandolin or guitar.

The invention consists in roviding the cir cular rim, which supports t e head, with improved means, inter nosed between the rim and head, whereby t e tone is softened, the vibrations caused to continue for a. long period of time, and the carrying power of the tone increased. Also, in means for drawing the top part of the neck away from the rim to which it is attached, to free the vibrating parts from engagement therewith.-

Figure 1 shows in plan view a stringed instrument embodying this invention. Fig. 2 is a. longitudinal vertical section of the in- Figs. 4 are enlarged details of the cushion which is interposed between the head and rim. Figs. 5

. and 6 are enlarged details of the plate which is secured to the bottom of the neck (1. represents themeck of the instrument; a the finger-board; b the circular rim which is attached to the neck; 0 the hood and d the strings, which letter ere connected with n tail-piece d.

The head 0, instead of bein r supported upon or connected with the circu er rim 1) in a, rigid manner, as usual in banjos, is supported upon a cushion, which is interposed between the rim and head. As herein shown the circular rirn b is rabbeted at the top and in the recess thus formed a circular tube 1) is placed, and on said tube a circular tube b", of spirally wound wire is placed, and upon said spirally formed tube a circular tube b constructed like the tube b, is laced. The three circular tubes are arrange vertically, one above the other, end are held winst lateral movement. with respect to one 1 other by a flange b which extends upward, from the rim 1), on the extent to relieve the p inside of said tubes. end I rising from the rim 5 tubes. The upper er is bent over the it il hc ring; if doc is formed on the r ward pressure 12 1;. of thin metal and while to yield more or to p to vibrate. A ring If is icon the ring which. is emplo oi securely holdingthe h tends over the top of the l nag on d do tween said ring if and the ring .1 corded or rolled edge pon. which i beers. The ring Z is e *ewn down i. it, be securely by the nsinil edjusteble threaded hooks.

other instrument is prom; feet, quite distinct from stringedL imam n.

The neck e is secured to 6 by e of, extend and into the nccl i tending: bur

through nolr threaded at o' in e plete is screw-threeced ceive a nutf f screw-threaded ends located nside of prevent compression. thup the nutf The n or barf is connected, of the neck, and. the open is secured the Ti above the bottom. n f and adjusting t-.....nu.-. strained toiirew the ho ttorc cl 7 against the rim. and t? eby a top of the neck iron or a r the opposii movement, however, vibrating structed acts to assist orient tone. it

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by" Letters Patent is i 1. In a stringed instrument, the combination of a circular rim, a head, means for. securing the head to the rim, a circular tube and yieldin su port therefor interposed be tween the ca and rim, substantially as described. 2. In a stringed instrument, the combination of a circular rim, a head, means for securing the head to the rim, two circular tubes arranged one above the other and interoosed between the head and rim, one of said tubes being composed of s irally wound Wire, substantially as described 3. In a stringed instrument, the combination of a circular rim, a head, means for securing the head to the rim, and a circular tube of spirally wound wire interposed between the head and rim, substantially as described. 7

4. In a stringed instrument, the combination of a circular rim, a head, means for securing the head to the rim, :2. lurality of circular tubes arranged verticaly between said head and rim, substantially as described.

5. In a stringed instrument, the combination of a circular rim, a head, means for securing the head to the rim, and three circular tubes arranged vertically between said head and rim, the middle tube being composed of spirally wound Wire, substantially described.

6. In a strin ed instrument, the combi nation of a circular rim rabbeted and formed with a shoulder, a plurality of circular tubes arranged vertically on said rim, a metallic ring inclosing said tubes which rests on said 7 rim, a head extending over said metallic ring,

a locking-ring outside of said metallic ring for the head, and means for connectin said locking-ring with the rim, substantia ly as described.

7. In a strin ed instrument, the combination of a circu ar rim, a plurality of circular tubes arranged Vertically and supported on said rim, a ring also su ported on said rim, which is located outsi e of said tube and which has a curved top, a head extending over the curved top of said ring, and means for securing said head-in place, substantially as described.

8. In a stringed instrument, the combination of a circular rim, a yieldingly supported circular tube thereon, a ring also supported on said rim which is located outsi e of said tube and which has a curved top extending over said tube, a head extending over the curved top of said ring, and means for securing said head in place, substantially as described.

9. In a stringed instrument, the combination of a circular rim, a head thereon, a neck, means for attaching said neck to said rim, a plate secured to the bottom of the neck, and a longitudinally adjustable bar extending diametrically across the rim which is connected at one end to said plate and at the op osite end to the rim at a point some little istance above its bottom, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALCIDE E. MATHEY. Witnesses B. J. NoYEs, H. B. DAVIS. 

